Germany forges a dal makhani bond

French strategist Talleyrand once said to his emperor Napoleon Bonaparte: Give me a good chef and I shall give you good treaties.

Like politics, food, too, has become a "staple" of global diplomacy — a much-needed tool to forge connections. During the recent India visit of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his entourage, first lady Elke Budenbender was fascinated by dal makhani.

Cooked by the chefs of Taj Diplomatic Enclave, where the President and his entourage were accommodated, the dish was served as part of the Indian thali. A Taj official told DNA that the First Lady was all praise for the Punjabi dish after she asked for a "typical Indian meal for lunch" on March 23.

She was also served chicken tariwala, palak paneer and gobi mutter, with ras malai for dessert — all in a peacock enamoured silver thali.

"Our team of chefs was informed this would be the first time she would be eating an Indian meal. She liked everything in the thali, but the dal struck a delicious chord. She asked about its spices and requested us to share the recipe," the official said.